Water-mobile.



. PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. P. F. MAGGALLUM.

WATER MOBILE. APPLICATION FILED DEO.2B,1904.

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PATENTED SEPT. 4, 1906. P. F. MAGCALLUM.

WATER MOBILE. APPLIOATION FILED DEO.28,1904.

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Jnv'en'l-or WLzEnesses UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PATRICK FRASER MAOOALLUM, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ROBERT GRAY, OF GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.

WATER-MOBILE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 4, 1906.

Application filed December 28, 1904. Serial No. 238,665.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I,.PATRICK FRASER MAc- GALLUM, of Glasgow, Scotland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Mobiles, of which the following is a specifi cation.

This invention relates to improvements in boats or vessels adapted for floating and traveling on water by means of closed flexible bands or tubes employed in conjunction with drums or wheels and frames or bodies, as hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of which Figures 1 and 2 are side elevation and cross-section, respectively, of a water-mo bile as fitted with a closed flotation-band. Figs. 3 and 4 are side elevation and cross-section, respectively, of a power-driven watermobile, Fig. 4 being drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the type of water-mobile illustrated at Figs. 3 and 4, but showing a modified construction of the framework. 1

As shown at Figs. 1 and 2, the water-mobile is fitted with a closed flotation-band con sisting of a stout inner belt in contact with the end wheels B B and intermediate wheels D D D, with a lighter outer waterproof covering corrugated or rigid to allow of easy turning round the end wheels. The required space between the inner belt and outer covering is maintained by light transverse frames F F F. Two guide or rail belts G G are shown fixed to the inner surface of the band to prevent lateral movement. Propulsion is effected by a plying power to rotate the wheels in the esired direction.

Figs. 8 and 4 show a power-driven watermobile capable of carrying six to eight passengers. Assuming a length of about forty feet,the required displacement will be obtained from a semicircular flotation-band of less than three feet in width.

To secure stability, the mobile is provided for a portion of its length with outrigger boatshaped attachments H H, the bottoms of which are clear of the water under normal running conditions. A roofed cab for the passengers is built over the outrigger attachments, and the flotation-band is carried over the cab on overhead pulleys D D, supported by standards rising from the longitudinal raised, as shown, to give the after part of the flotation-band an upward inclination.

The flotation-band A is of the collapsible pneumatic type and consists of a strong inner belt, which comes in-contact with the drums, and intermediate wheels of sufficient transverse stifiness to remain substantially flat with the maximum air-pressure required to support the mobile and its load. The outer covering may be of sheet-rubber or air-proof cloth. When inflated with air, the band assumes an approximately semicircular form, except at the places engaging the end drums B B, where the outer covering is collapsed toward the inner belt by the superior tension of the outer covering when rounding the drums. A central guide-rail belt G is affixed to the inner flat surface of the band. Recesses are formed in the end drums B B to accommodate the rail-belt, which also runs betweenthe intermediate and overhead wheels of the apparatus.

The water-mobile may be driven by a high speed oil-motor geared to the rear drum, as shown.

Projections or stops, as at I I I, may be attached to the flotation-band to reduce slip.

Fi 5 shows a collapsible pneumatic flotationand A, frame O, and outrigger attachments H H of a similar type of mobile, but with a wooden box-shaped frame 0, to the sides of which the intermediate wheels D D are attached. Additional small pulleys J J are provided for contact with the guide-rail belt G.

The flotation-band A consists of a stout belt in contact with the intermediate wheels D D, stiffened by light cross-pieces K at intervals.

The sides L L are of sheet-rubber and the outer skin M of strong air-proofed cloth or canvas, which bears the strain due to the action of the stops I.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In water-mobiles the combination with the framing and drums carried thereon of traveling closed flotation bands having I transverse internal frames covered with fie-Xible waterproof material, the outer surfaces being ridged or corrugated to allow of exten- 5 sion when passing round the drums or Wheels,

and the inner surfaces having guide or rail belts attached, as described.

2. In water-mobiles the combination with the framing and drums thereon of traveling 1o pneumatic bands of semicircular section, the

inner flat surfaces being transversely stiffened, and the outer surfaces collapsible when passing round wheels or drums in co1nbination with guide-rail belts affixed to the inner flat surfaces of the bands, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to 'this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PATRICK FRASER MACCALLUM.

Witnesses:

WALLACE FAIRWEATHER, W. HowmsoN. 

